Automobile-speed-locking device.



V.,-'A. WILLIAMS. Auromoslg/g SPEED LOCKf lNG DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED-MAY 20, 1915*.

Aitest: I Inventor: ficflafiw by nzwm; JfiWp'lliams Patented Mar. 6, 1917,

of Connecticut, have invented "onrrno VINCENT A. WILLIAMS, 0 SAUGEEUQK, CONNECTICUT.

AUTOTKGBILE-SPEED LQCKING DEVICE.

to the acconiian unn drawin s lorinin a o I 1:1. n

part hereof.

1c vice is applicable in cases where at present is a pawl, (Z is the pawl pivot, l is My invention relates to a device whereby the speed pperating lever will be held at will of the operator, in a predetermined operative position, and more particularly such dei.t is necessary to maintain the foot pressure on a lever-pedal, which is vnot alone tiresome but trying, andin other ways disad vanta-geous.

, More particularly 1 have perfected my invention for use in such cases as now well knownin certain automobiles.,-in which the 'lo'ot-pedal is pressed forward to one position for one speed, and farther 0- another speed, and in order to maintain the slow speed requires a constant and strong preswe on the pedal. In such a case, when it is necessary to drive 7 the automobile at the slowest speed for a considerable time as in traffic or parade, it is tiring, and for some UQQPlQzIYfOSl; difficult to maintain the slow sp'eed position of the lever.

A specific embodiment of my invention is shown in which:

Figure 1 shows anelevation. of one embodiment of my invention.

' 2 is a section at 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is a modified form.

In the drawings, A is the change speed lever, a is a retracting spring, ii is connecting the lever to the rack-bar C, D

the pawl G is the rack guide, ll is'the pawl rod, J is the pawl operating handle. K is the steering post, l i is the dash, l/l. is a bracket with bracket arm lti passing through the guide clamp G, with clamp bolt it will be seen lever is in the position usual in ,hile, so that with foot pit-assure may pressed the extent necessary to the of speed, oth The link to the lever extends through the spring, control an automopinned foot oar L, at the b Specification of Letters Patent.

flocation with respect to the accompanying drawings in a link rod that the operating: pedal .0211 of the dashiii, and

l?atented air. it tilt.

llpplication filed May 20, 1915. Serial No. 29,293.

connects with th'clocking mechanism in front of the dash, and therefore within the hood and in a position where it is not in the way and where nothing' can catch on the different parts, or particularly the pawl and rack.

any'similar mechanism were put adjacent to V the lever it wouldbe in a position where coats or-slrirts would be apt to, catch, and it would-prove generally inconvenient. However, by my invention the mechanism is readily brought intoposition where it is a solid support, and the control is in the best position to permit a direct operating rod as l-Lto be run up along, side the steering pillar K, thereby bringing the operating handle in the most convenient position for the op- \S fully shown in the orator of the vehicle. 1 drawing, the steering pillar and wheel, the speed control lever, and their mounting and the dash and other parts of the vehicle, are normal, that is, without change, but represent standard construction in automobiles. The only-.1 di tions are the means located inside of the hood with the rods or links 13 'andll projecting through the dash and foot-hoard. Thus my mechanism presents a unit to be attached to standard construction and to improve the means of operation of standard construction under certain conditions used,-

without any change of the existing standard parts.

vi hcn the speed changing lever pressed to the extreme where it would other A is wise be difficult to hold it, the operator of the vehicle pulls up the hand lever cl, which by means of the rod H tilts the pawl D so that the claw of the pawl engages the teeth of the rack bar C. These teeth must be made fine, that is, a large number to the inch, so that the a very slight bac (dash, in order to hoid the lever A satisfactorily to prevent slipping of the speed clutch. The rack guide G being clamped by G" to the bracket arzn li'l', while the bracket M is rigidly supported on a suit able part of the vehrclefinsures rigidity of the locking of the pawl and rack with respect to the pivot of the operating lever A on the chassis, making a. most effective hold for the lever in the set position.

When driving a car, as in. a parade, or otherwise, when slow speed must he maintained "for a long); period, has been torrid that it cramps the foot and leg, and hold pawl D will take hold with ing of the lever'becoines diiiicuit, and. with some people almost impossible. Besides this, the strain causes a variation in the pressure, resulting in occasional slipping, and with the slipping of the speed mechanism overheating or other troubles ensue.

The form I have used, as shown in Fig. 1, embodying the straight rack bar C, results in a direct pull substantially in the same line of direction at all positions of the lever, and the arrangement and proportion of parts is found to be a very effective and satisfactorydevice for the purpose. As is seen in l igL 2, clamp G has the guide-plate G secured by screws, while the pawl stud support d is also screwed to the guide-plate G, and a small spring F holds the pawl out of engagement with the rack is attached by means of one of the screws. Various changes in detail of construction may be made inthis and other parts of my mechanism, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In Fig. 3, the segmental rack may be stamped out of metal for cheap production, While the pawl support M is rigidly attached to the dash L, thereby forming a secure anchorage for the pawl to hold the rack and rod B, and lever in set position.

While the forms of my invention shown and specifically described may be varied, their peculiar advantages for the purpose stated will now be apparent in view of the above description.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an automobile, an accessory for improving the control, comprising a mecha nism attachable to standard construction without modification, consisting of a bracket supported inside and protected by the hood and dash, a ratchet and pawl. supported on said bracket, links extending from said which normally ratchet and pawl, the one attached to the speed control lever and the other supported on the steering pillar and having an operating lever, for the purpose described.

2. In an automobile, a supplementary speed control mechanism adapted to be attached to otherwise complete and standard construction, comprising pawl and ratchet mechanism, adjustable means for connecting the same to a support, and a support, all of said mechanism being inclosed within a protected part of said vehicle structure, links connecting said pawl and ratchet to parts outside of said protected mechanism, the one attached to the speed control lever and the other being secured to the steering pillar, and a lever for operating the latter, for the purpose described.

3. in an automobile, ad unct mechanism for supplementing the normal speed control lever, comprising a locking bar and a lockingmember, means for automatically disengaging the same, and a support therefor, all attached within a protecting inclosure, means eXtending from said mechanism through the dash and adjacent parts of a standard construction and. connecting said mechanism respectively to the speed control lever and to a part in proximity to the steering wheel, and means on the latter member to cause actuation of said locking bar mechanism against the automatic release mechanism, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 19th day of May, 1915.

VINCENT A. \VILLIAh IS. 

